Trauma Responsive Practice with Children

This session is delivered on behalf of the Department of Health Victoria. Registrations are only open to delegates nominated by them that fall into the ICF Wellness Hubs in Brimbank-Melton / Loddon / Southern Melbourne.

Learn about how trauma impacts child development and functioning. Discover the principles of trauma responsive practice and learn how you can apply trauma responsive practice approaches to meet the needs of children who have been impacted by complex trauma.

As professionals continue to enhance their understanding of neurobiology and the impact of trauma on children’s neurobiological and neurophysiological development the question then becomes, “How do I put this knowledge into practice with children?”  This workshop will help you consider what trauma responsive practice with children means in your role.

Abuse related complex trauma has a significant impact on the child’s developing brain and body and the way in which children relate to others. Complex trauma can result in children experiencing developmental delays and significant difficulties across various aspects of their functioning including regulating their emotions, adapting their behaviour and the ability to be attuned to social exchanges. This can lead to fundamental challenges for children in experiencing safety and in engaging in relational exchanges that offer support. The widespread impact of abuse-related trauma has profound implications for how carers, practitioners, programs and systems support children whom have been impacted. 

Children who have experienced abuse related trauma need adults and systems which understand the impact of their traumatic experiences on their development and functioning. With understanding, adults and systems can be more effective in the support they provide children to heal from their experience of trauma.   

This one day workshop will review a foundational understanding of complex developmental trauma and present a conceptual trauma responsive practice framework to facilitate the application of this knowledge to work across multiple contexts. This workshop is aimed at people working with and caring for infants, children and young people who have experienced trauma including; Child Protection practitioners; Mental health and allied health professionals; Educators and early-learning staff; Family Support Services and Out of Home Care staff. 

The knowledge and practice principles presented in this workshop are grounded in the most recent evidence from neuroscience and integrates the latest insights from the major trauma theorists, researchers and practitioners into an effective framework that will enhance participants’ knowledge, confidence and skills in the area of trauma responsive practice with children.  

For Department of of Health Victoria- Infant, Child Family Health workers across disciplines of mental health, health and wellbeing support for infants, children and families- including community mental health workers, paediatricians, psychologists, speech pathologists and parenting supports who provide support for families with children 0-11 years experiencing developmental, behavioural and emotional challenges.

Virtual- live and interactive